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See What's Happening at ValuTrac Software

New
technology allows appraisers to gain efficiencies, increase productivity and
raise service levels.

ValuTrac
Software, provider of the industry’s most configurable appraisal management software for both residential and commercial valuations, has announced the launch of ValuTracOne appraiser portal and mobile application. ValuTracOne is a single access point that connects appraisers to all of their appraisal management company (AMC) and lender clients who are supported by ValuTrac Software’s primary products, ValuTrac Pro and ValuTrac Pro Plus.

ValuTracOne enables appraisers to manage their entire pipeline of appraisal orders seamlessly, in one location with one login. Appraisers can use ValuTracOne to securely receive assignments, set inspection dates, transfer documents, send client messages, as well as view real-time status of their entire appraisal pipeline from all of their clients supported by ValuTrac Software.

ValuTracOne, syncs automatically with the ValuTracOne mobile application, which is free and available for both Android and iOS mobile devices. ValuTracOne was developed as part of ValuTrac Software’s increased focus on the specific needs of appraisers. The company consulted with numerous appraisers in developing ValuTracOne, which has been credited for significantly improving the day-to-day management of appraisal assignments by the technology’s appraiser beta testers.

“Appraisers are often the forgotten piece when it comes to technology and appraisal management applications, and we’re doing something to change that,” said Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac Software. “Productivity and service levels are two key factors that determine whether appraisers receive assignments from their clients. The issue is, achieving optimal levels of either—let alone both—has traditionally been very challenging. ValuTracOne solves this issue by giving appraisers an effortless way to raise their productivity and service levels.”

The ValuTracOne mobile application improves appraisers’ processes when they’re out in the field inspecting properties, which is frequent. ValuTracOne uses push notifications to alert appraisers instantly whenever they have new assignments or client messages. Appraisers can use the mobile application to quickly accept assignments and provide responses to client messages.

“Time is a huge component of appraisal services. Right now, a lot of news stories are saying that appraisal turnaround times are increasing,” said Cornett. “We are confident that ValuTracOne helps appraisers increase their service levels, which in turn reduces turn times. That is a win-win for the appraiser, their clients and the consumer. We will continue listening to and supporting appraisers. At ValuTrac Software, our goal has always been to improve the appraisal process start to finish.”

About
ValuTrac Software, Inc.

Since 2009, ValuTrac Software has been a trusted provider of real estate valuation management technology to the real estate lending industry. ValuTrac products provide the tools for businesses to simplify and streamline their business operations. ValuTrac offers a real-world approach and execution of tried and proved methods that cement customer relationships while improving business productivity. ValuTrac products deliver real added business value to any organization. Using our proven methodology and experience, our team guides customers through the best practices to ensure every project is flawlessly executed and is aligned with their business goals and objectives. ValuTrac’s product stack includes, ValuTrac Pro, ValuTrac Pro Plus, Appraisal Relay, Snapshot Appraisal Review, EmpowerBA, and ValuTracOne.

ValuTrac Software today announced it ranked #453 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. ValuTrac Software grew 166 percent during the period 2013 to 2016.

“The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment,” said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. “These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers.”

“At ValuTrac, our mission is to deliver the best value and the best service to our customers—that’s been our formula for growth since our days as a bootstrap startup in 2009,” said Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac Software. “Being named to Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 validates the effort and dedication of our entire team. We’re honored to be named to the list. Our goal is to remain on this list for years to come.”

“Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this year’s North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment,” said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s emerging growth company practice. “Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this year’s Fast 500 winners.”

Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies — both public and private — in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the “Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About ValuTrac
Software, Inc.

Since 2009, ValuTrac Software has been a trusted provider of real estate valuation management technology to the real estate lending industry. ValuTrac products provide the tools for businesses to simplify and streamline their business operations. ValuTrac offers a real-world approach and execution of tried and proved methods that cement customer relationships while improving business productivity. ValuTrac products deliver real added business value to any organization. Using our proven methodology and experience, our team guides customers through the best practices to ensure every project is flawlessly executed and is aligned with their business goals and objectives. ValuTrac’s product stack includes, ValuTrac Pro, ValuTrac Pro Plus, Appraisal Relay, Snapshot Appraisal Review, EmpowerBA, and ValuTracOne.

ValuTrac
Software, provider of the industry’s most configurable appraisal management software for both residential and commercial valuations, has announced the launch of SnapShot automated appraisal review, a low cost, streamlined appraisal review tool available through ValuTrac Software’s ValuTrac Pro and ValuTrac Pro Plus.

SnapShot was designed for organizations that want a faster, more streamlined automated appraisal review. SnapShot supports Fannie Mae appraisal forms 1004, 1073, 1025, 1004C and 2055, and can be set up to run automatically when appraisers upload an appraisal report.

SnapShot uses a streamlined, predefined set of rules, which vary based on appraisal form. Users have full control over all automated rules and they can also include manual review questions. Users can set SnapShot to flag findings as hard stops or warnings, based on their quality assurance procedures.

“Lenders and AMCs don’t always need the intensive appraisal quality audit—or its higher price tag,” said Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac Software. “SnapShot is for companies that want to eliminate the most frequent issues that lead to costly delays, right up front. ShapShot improves the appraisal review process with a more time efficient evaluation that leads to a higher quality appraisal report.”

SnapShot evaluates data fields for errors, omissions and inconsistencies, cross references the appraisal’s data against the appraisal order’s data, and verifies appraiser status according to ASC (Appraisal Subcommittee) and HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) rosters. SnapShot also displays the appraisal value with the comparable sales adjusted value range provided in the report, and a HouseCanary automated valuation and confidence score.

“A lot of delays in the appraisal process come from simple, totally avoidable mistakes,” said Cornett. “Each mistake can delay the process by one day or more, which is enough to impair client service and profits. SnapShot helps AMCs and lenders identify those issues from the get-go so they can avoid the short and long-term costs of those delays.”

ValuTrac Software (ValuTrac), a leading software solutions provider to the appraisal management and mortgage lending industry, today announced the integration with FHA’s Electronic Appraisal Delivery (EAD) Portal. FHA’s EAD portal is a web-based technology system that enables electronic transmission of appraisal data and reports to FHA by FHA-approved mortgagees and/or their designated third party service providers prior to loan endorsement. Use of the EAD portal will be required for all FHA-approved mortgagees, effective June 27, 2016.

ValuTrac has integrated directly with FHA’s Electronic Appraisal Delivery (EAD) Portal to seamlessly facilitate the appraisal portion of the loan process. This system to system integration will allow for the automated delivery of appraisals to FHA’s EAD portal, removing the manual steps in this process will increase operational efficiency for all ValuTrac customers.

“We are excited about continuing to offer our customers seamless integrated solutions to enhance their business operations, ” commented Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac. By integrating with the EAD portal, our customers have more seamless electronic interface options, and ValuTrac takes another step in its holistic approach to further streamline the appraisal management process.”

ValuTrac’s CEO, Clint Cornett and SVP of National Sales, John Sisson, will be attending the MBA’s Annual Conference & Expo 2015 in San Diego, California.

The MBA Conference will run from October 18-21, 2015, and will be the country’s largest gathering of mortgage industry professionals.

Not only is the MBA Conference an opportunity for mortgage professionals to expand their knowledge, but also a great chance to network with leading lenders, technology and service providers and appraisal management experts.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published Mortgagee Letter 2015-08, Electronic Appraisal Delivery (EAD) Portal for FHA-Insured Single Family Mortgages. This Mortgagee Letter announces FHA’s implementation of its EAD portal, and provides information about the portal and its mandatory use with FHA case numbers assigned on and after June 27, 2016. The EAD portal will make it easier to do business with FHA by offering process and technology efficiencies that streamline appraisal data transmission, promote quality up-front appraisal data, and reduce post-endorsement appraisal data corrections.

ValuTrac Software (ValuTrac), a leading software solutions provider to the appraisal management and mortgage lending industry, today announced the integration with FNC®, a leading provider of real estate collateral information technology. ValuTrac has integrated directly with FNC’s AppraisalPort to seamlessly facilitate the appraisal portion of the loan process.

The integration will increase efficiency and mitigate risk for ValuTrac customers by automating complicated appraisal steps.

“We are excited about working with our newest integration partner, FNC, and the trusted value they add to our customizable appraisal management platform,” commented Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac. “By partnering with FNC, our customers have more seamless electronic interface options, and ValuTrac takes another step in integrating innovative technology into a holistic platform to further streamline and mitigate risk throughout the lending value chain.”

“FNC welcomes ValuTrac as an integrated settlement services provider on FNC’s AppraisalPort®. FNC’s CMS® platform clients will have the opportunity to benefit from this new valuation service provider option”, says Mike Mitchell, Chief Strategy Officer of FNC.

ValuTrac’s CEO, Clint Cornett, SVP of National Sales, John Sisson, and VP of Sales, Hank Pruett will be attending the MBA’s 101st Annual Convention and Expo in Las Vegas. ValuTrac is one of the Conventions Exhibitors this year (Booth 556), come by and see how ValuTrac is helping organizations gain strategic advantages to their best practices, improving their appraisal management process while maintaining regulatory compliance.

The MBA Convention & Expo will run from October 19-22, 2014, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and will be the country’s largest gathering of mortgage industry professionals.

Not only is the MBA Convention an opportunity for mortgage professionals to expand their knowledge, but also a great chance to network with leading lenders, technology and service providers and appraisal management experts.

If you would like to meet with the ValuTrac team at the Convention, please feel free to stop by Booth 556 or send an email to ccornett@valutracsoftware.com and schedule a personal appointment.

Next week, ValuTrac’s CEO, Clint Cornett, will be attending the 2014 Valuation Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, the country’s largest gathering of real estate appraisers.

The Expo will run from June 23-25, and will cover many important topics as well as the latest information on the future of the industry. In addition, it is a great chance to network with lenders, vendors, regulators, and valuation professionals.

ValuTrac Software (ValuTrac), a leading software solutions provider to the appraisal management and mortgage lending industry, today announced the integration with Ellie Mae, a leading provider of on-demand automation solutions for the mortgage industry. ValuTrac will integrate directly with Ellie Mae’s Encompass mortgage management solution to seamlessly facilitate the appraisal portion of the loan process.

The integration will increase efficiency and remove risk for Encompass users by automating complicated appraisal steps.

“Ellie Mae’s Encompass software is a natural fit with ValuTrac’s appraisal management platform of products. This combination demonstrates how integrating our appraisal management software with leading enterprise mortgage technology providers, such as Ellie Mae, can help build a holistic platform that streamlines the lending value chain and mitigate risk,” said Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac. “ValuTrac is committed to being the leader in providing appraisal management companies, banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders appraisal management solutions to improve accounting processes, appraiser vendor management, and regulatory guidance for all of our clients.”

“Seamless integrations across the lending ecosystem are creating significant efficiencies as well as a higher standard for the mortgage process. ValuTrac’s appraisal management software is a welcome addition to the Ellie Mae Network, added Joe Tyrrell, Senior Vice President. “This integration continues our commitment to providing access to quality products that help minimize origination cost while maximizing retail, wholesale and correspondent performance.”

ValuTrac Software has been named to HousingWire magazine’s 2014 HW TECH100™, an exclusive list of the housing economy’s 100 most innovative technology companies. The Company was recognized for its flagship product, ValuTrac Pro, a fully customizable appraisal management system that streamlines appraisal workflow to ensure easy, automatic compliance and risk mitigation throughout the appraisal review process.

“This recognition is another significant acknowledgement of ValuTrac’s innovative technology solution, and our commitment to setting the new standard in compliance solutions for the appraisal management industry,” commented Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac Software. “ValuTrac is thrilled that HousingWire has included us alongside so many other technology leaders, which are providing innovative solutions to the housing market place. ValuTrac remains focused on being part of the movement of integrating innovative technology into holistic platforms to further streamline and mitigate risk.”

ValuTrac’s solutions help to mitigate risk and enhance the cost structure related to the appraisal process as well as significantly improve accounting processes, appraiser vendor management, regulatory guidance, and sales support for all of our clients.

Presented annually by HousingWire, the HW TECH100 list recognizes the 100 most innovative technology firms in the U.S. housing market. This year, more than 400 companies applied for the award, which is open to companies that offer solutions focusing on one or more of the following industry sectors: residential mortgage lending, residential mortgage servicing, residential mortgage investments, and/or residential real estate.

The recent mortgage and housing crisis was in large measure a result of functional breakdowns of the two most important components of our housing finance system: qualification and valuation. For this reason, reforms have focused on these two components and have resulted in significant regulatory changes. Regulation of the appraisal process has been completely overhauled. Appraisal management software can be a major help or hindrance to lenders facing this new regulatory environment.

Among the key areas of focus within already enacted regulations, and within proposed changes still to be finalized, is creation of a comprehensive data record for each appraisal transaction. Every aspect of the transaction, from ordering, to appraiser selection, to appraisal performance, to communication among parties involved is subject to audit and review.

The question for each lender then becomes: Is your appraisal management process up to meeting the higher standards and providing protection from these new risks?

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a method of software distribution in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a private network or the Internet. Today many applications used by businesses and other organizations, except custom applications that provide unique competitive advantages, are being delivered as web-hosted services via a browser. Within the mortgage industry, SaaS is a very hot topic. SaaS has emerged as a replacement to older systems throughout the mortgage production-chain from Customer Relationship Management (CRM), to Loan Origination Systems (LOS), to appraisal management, to document preparation, to compliance and beyond. Why?

SaaS Advantage 1—Save Money and Shorten Implementation

SaaS applications are offered on a pay-as-you-go, subscription basis. This enables you to avoid the expenses associated with implementing traditional software. There is no need to buy hardware, software, facilities to house them, or to hire people to manage it all. Industry consultants estimate that the cost of implementing traditional enterprise software is four to five times the initial licensing cost.

Many implementation tasks associated with older systems are eliminated because the SaaS is already up and running at the vendor’s data center. This results in a shortened deployment time and a quicker achievement of positive ROI.

The business processes within the mortgage industry must produce products that are largely identical to one another, regardless of which industry participants are involved. Consequently, it makes sense to utilize highly specialized, reliable and secure SaaS systems to ensure uniformity and compliance within origination (CRM, LOS, appraisal management, document preparation and compliance), closing, loan sales, securitization and servicing processes. Through the cost-effective use of SaaS software, a mortgage lender can reallocate from its technology budget to focus on those activities that provide unique competitive advantages.

The adoption of SaaS appraisal management software is increasing at a rapid pace. Lenders of all types are making the change to ensure that their appraisal processes are managed both to eliminate risk and to provide positive operational benefits. These benefits include cost savings, ease of implementation, productivity gains, appraisal operations visibility, customization and reduced oversight.

February 11, 2014 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac released an update notification regarding upcoming changes related to the UCDP and UAD processes.

The update includes the following:

Change to Accepted File Formats in the UCDPReminder of Submissions of Appraisals in the UCDPThird Phase of UCDP Conversion to Fatal UAD Edits

Change to Accepted XML File Formats in UCDP As a reminder: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) will only accept MISMO XML submissions in the UCDP beginning July 13, 2014. On this date the PDF extraction service in UCDP will be retired, and the GSEs will no longer accept appraisals submitted in PDF, ACI XML, and AIReady file formats. We continue to work closely with lenders and vendors using these file formats to ensure a smooth migration path; existing lender and vendor system integrations to the UCDP will not be impacted.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not properly using a web portal developed to collect and screen appraisal information in order to minimize losses, according to an audit released Thursday, February 6th.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Office of Inspector General found the portal successfully provides warnings of incomplete or defective appraisals but in certain cases the government-sponsored enterprises did not require lenders to take corrective action.

“The warning messages shared with lenders were coded as ‘automatic overrides,’ the audit report says. And Fannie did not require lenders to explain or resolve the potential problems,” the OIG report says.

During a five-month period ending in June 2013, over 4,500 appraisals generated more than two warnings per appraisal. “Despite these alerts, Fannie Mae purchased all of the loans,” the report says.

Freddie Mac had similar issues. It feeds portal appraisal data through its Home Value Explorer model to check property values. But the auditors discovered that the model could not estimate the value for 25,000 appraisals uploaded on the portal during a three-month period last summer. Freddie still purchased the loans.

In the case of 4,000 other appraisals, the model “warned that the appraisals should be reviewed for accuracy because the estimated value may be excessive for the local market.” Freddie still purchased the loans.

The Inspector General’s report cites both GSEs for relying too heavily on post-purchase reviews to catch problems and not following the FHFA’s directives to use the portal and key warning messages to catch issues before purchase.

The OIG auditors also urged the GSE regulator to exercise more oversight to improve the portal so it does a better of job of identifying the status of appraisers.

“Without better oversight, the enterprises may not fully use the portal to minimize the risk of buying loans supported by inactive or unlicensed appraisers,” the watchdog warns.

The FHFA agreed with most of the findings and pledged to work with the GSEs to make corrections. The agency noted that Fannie has already begun to take action to reduce the number of automatic overrides. Further changes would be implemented by Jan. 31, 2015, the FHFA said.

Story originally posted by Brian Collins with the National Mortgage News, please click here to view original story.

ValuTrac Software (ValuTrac), a leading software solutions provider to the appraisal management and mortgage lending industry, today announced the integration with LendingQB, a provider of end-to-end loan origination software (LOS). This integration will allow LendingQB customers to seamlessly and effectively facilitate appraisals from within LendingQB. This system to system integration will also allow for the automated delivery of completed appraisal reports and other documents back into LendingQB. Removing manual steps in this process will minimize risk and increase operational efficiency.

ValuTrac’s direct integration with LendingQB is available with the ValuTrac Pro and ValuTracPro Plus products.

“We are excited about working with our newest integration partner, LendingQB, and the trusted value they add to our customizable appraisal management platform,” commented Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac. “By partnering with LendingQB, our customers have more seamless electronic interface options, and ValuTrac takes another step in integrating innovative technology into a holistic platform to further streamline and mitigate risk throughout the lending value chain.”